This statement can mean a lot of things to many. Some will say fame and money, country club membership,bigger house and flashier cars.
How many of us have been shopping for groceries, a birthday gift or Christmas presents and we run upon someone who asks “have you found what you’re looking for?” We get that look of bewilderment. A bit of frustration sets in. We are constantly in the state of looking for something better, newer, wanting something that we just might not really need in our lives. We walk up and down the aisles of life scouring for that item that we are missing thinking that it would make everything better.
While searching for that item of gratification we see that our lives are actually in a constant state of “searching” for that one thing that would bring happiness into our lives.
Listening to U2 and front man Bono’s song “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” shares a deep religious connotation. It is the second track from their 1987 album The Joshua Tree and was released as the album’s second single in May 1987. The song was a hit, becoming the band’s second consecutive number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100. Now, I am not getting into the questions of “Is Bono a Christian?”
Bono has written a variety of “spiritual” songs. This one makes distinct references to Jesus: “I believe in the kingdom… you broke the bonds and you loosed the chains” he is acknowledging salvation and yet he still hasn’t found what he is looking for. This need for deeper fulfillment and futile search corresponds to a setback in the cycle of faith. The setback of Inferiority is followed by confusion. Rather than getting back onto the path towards a better faith, another setback occurs. The frustration of the first setback grows, causing confusion and a distorted perspective.
The lyrics also breaks down even deeper when he sings “I have spoke with the tongue of angels I have held the hand of a devil.” Some real powerful stuff.
In John 1:38 Jesus asked two of his disciples who were following him “What do you want?” Some theologians mention that there is only mention of Andrew and that the other was left unnamed leading scholars to speculate that God wanted us to identify with the other disciple. The question of “What are you looking for?” could very well lead us on that same journey that His disciples did when confronted with this question.
Have you found what you are looking for yet or have you even started searching in the right direction? It doesn’t begin overnight and it can always be a struggle for some.
Do you love Him?
“Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
Do you get your guidance from the Bible? He can help you find what you’re looking for.